Display device and driving method of the display device

ABSTRACT

A display device includes a display panel including a plurality of sensing lines and a plurality of pixels each connected to a corresponding sensing line among the plurality of sensing lines, a sensor that senses characteristic information of the plurality of pixels through the plurality of sensing lines and converts the characteristic information into sensing data having a digital format, and a compensator that converts first data received from outside of the display device into second data based on the sensing data, wherein the sensor senses characteristic information of pixels arranged in a partial area of the display panel during a transition period of a sensing period and processes sensed characteristic information as dummy data.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0133744, filed on Oct. 15,2020, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure ofwhich is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

One or more embodiments relate to a display device and a driving methodof the display device.

2. Description of Related Art

Each of pixels provided in a display device receives a data signal froma corresponding data line in response to a scan signal supplied from acorresponding scan line, and emit light having a brightnesscorresponding to the data signal.

In order for a display device to display an image of uniform quality,each of the pixels has to emit the same light in response to a same datasignal. However, the characteristic of internal elements such as drivingtransistors and/or organic light-emitting diodes included in each of thepixels may have deviation in their own characteristic.

In addition, the internal elements deteriorate their characteristic asusing time increases. As a result, a characteristic deviation occursbetween the pixels, and this characteristic deviation may deteriorateimage quality of the display device.

SUMMARY

One or more embodiments include a display device capable of effectivelycompensating for a characteristic deviation between pixels to improveimage quality, and a driving method of the display device.

Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description whichfollows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may belearned by practice of the presented embodiments of the disclosure.

According to one or more embodiments, a display device, which is drivento have a driving period and a sensing period including a transitionperiod and an effective period following the transition period, includesa display panel including a plurality of sensing lines and a pluralityof pixels each connected to a corresponding sensing line among theplurality of sensing lines, a sensor that senses characteristicinformation of the plurality of pixels through the plurality of sensinglines and converts the characteristic information into sensing datahaving a digital format, and a compensator that converts first datareceived from outside of the display device into second data based onthe sensing data, wherein the sensor senses characteristic informationof pixels arranged in a partial area of the display panel during thetransition period and processes the sensed characteristic information asdummy data.

The display panel may include a display area and a non-display areaaround the display area, the non-display area including a dummy area,wherein the sensor may sense characteristic information of dummy pixelsarranged in the dummy area during the transition period and process thesensed characteristic information of the dummy pixels as dummy data.

The dummy area may include a plurality of dummy rows, wherein the sensormay sequentially sense dummy pixels arranged in the plurality of dummyrows one row at a time during the transition period.

The dummy area may include one dummy row, wherein the sensor may sensedummy pixels arranged in the dummy row multiple times during thetransition period.

The dummy area may be adjacent to a first row of the display area.

The sensor may not output the dummy data to the compensator.

The sensor may sequentially select pixels arranged in the display areaone row at a time during the effective period to sense characteristicinformation of the selected pixels.

The sensor may sense characteristic information of pixels arranged in arow in a display area of the display panel multiple times during thetransition period and process the sensed characteristic information ofthe pixels as dummy data.

The sensor may sequentially select pixels arranged in the display areaone row at a time during the effective period to sense characteristicinformation of the selected pixels.

The sensor may include a plurality of analog front ends (AFEs)respectively connected to the plurality of sensing lines and holdingcharacteristic information of pixels in a pixel row, and ananalog-to-digital converter (ADC) that is sequentially connected to theplurality of AFEs to convert the characteristic information of thepixels in the pixel row into digital sensing data.

The display device may further include a plurality of switches providedbetween each of the plurality of AFEs and the ADC.

The display device may further include a scan driver that applies a scansignal to the plurality of pixels, and a data driver that applies areference voltage to the plurality of pixels during the sensing periodand applies a data signal to the plurality of pixels during the drivingperiod.

According to one or more embodiments, a display device, which is drivento have a driving period and a sensing period including a transitionperiod and an effective period following the transition period, includesa display panel including a plurality of sensing lines and a pluralityof pixels each connected to a corresponding sensing line among theplurality of sensing lines, a sensor that senses characteristicinformation of the plurality of pixels through the plurality of sensinglines and converts the characteristic information into sensing datahaving a digital format, and a compensator that converts first datareceived from an outside of the display device into second data based onthe sensing data, wherein the sensor includes a plurality of analogfront ends (AFEs) respectively connected to the plurality of sensinglines and holding characteristic information of pixels in a pixel row,an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) that is sequentially connected tothe plurality of AFEs to convert the characteristic information of thepixels in the pixel row into digital sensing data, and a dummy analogfront end DAFE, wherein the sensor connects the DAFE to the ADC multipletimes during the transition period.

The display device may further include a plurality of switches providedbetween each of the plurality of AFEs and the ADC, and a dummy switchprovided between the dummy AFE and the ADC.

According to one or more embodiments, a driving method of a displaydevice, which is driven to have a driving period and a sensing periodincluding a transition period and an effective period following thetransition period, includes sensing characteristic information of aplurality of pixels each connected to a corresponding sensing line amonga plurality of sensing lines and converting the characteristicinformation into sensing data having a digital format, and convertingfirst data received from an outside of the display device into seconddata based on the sensing data, wherein the converting of thecharacteristic information into the sensing data includes sensingcharacteristic information of pixels arranged in a partial area of thedisplay panel during the transition period and processing the sensedcharacteristic information as dummy data.

The display panel may include a display area and a non-display areaaround the display area, the non-display area including a dummy area,wherein the converting of the characteristic information into thesensing data may include sensing characteristic information of dummypixels arranged in the dummy area during the transition period andprocessing the sensed characteristic information of the dummy pixels asdummy data.

The dummy area may include a plurality of dummy rows, wherein theconverting of the characteristic information into the sensing data mayinclude sequentially sensing dummy pixels arranged in the plurality ofdummy rows one row at a time during the transition period and processingsensed characteristic information as dummy data.

The dummy area may include one dummy row, wherein the converting of thecharacteristic information into the sensing data may include sensingdummy pixels arranged in the dummy row multiple times during thetransition period and processing sensed characteristic information asdummy data.

The dummy area may be adjacent to a first row of the display area.

The converting of the characteristic information into the sensing datamay include sensing characteristic information of pixels arranged in arow in a display area of the display panel multiple times during thetransition period and processing the sensed characteristic informationof the pixels as dummy data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certainembodiments of the disclosure will be more apparent from the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a display device according to anembodiment;

FIG. 2 is an equivalent circuit diagram of a pixel according to anembodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a sensing period according to anembodiment;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a display device according to anembodiment, and in particular, a diagram illustrating an embodiment of asensor;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a channel provided in a sensoraccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display device according to anembodiment;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a portion of the displaydevice of FIG. 6 , according to an embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating signals applied during a sensing periodin the display device of FIG. 7 ;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a portion of the displaydevice of FIG. 6 , according to an embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating signals applied during a sensingperiod in the display device of FIG. 9 ;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a portion of the displaydevice of FIG. 6 , according to an embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating signals applied during a sensingperiod in the display device of FIG. 11 ;

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating a portion of the displaydevice of FIG. 6 , according to an embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating signals applied during a sensingperiod in the display device of FIG. 13 ;

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating a portion of the displaydevice of FIG. 6 , according to an embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating signals applied during a sensingperiod in the display device of FIG. 15 ; and

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of a display panel according to anembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of whichare illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like referencenumerals refer to like elements throughout. In this regard, the presentembodiments may have different forms and should not be construed asbeing limited to the descriptions set forth herein. Accordingly, theembodiments are merely described below, by referring to the figures, toexplain aspects of the present description. As used herein, the term“and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of theassociated listed items. Throughout the disclosure, the expression “atleast one of a, b, or c” indicates only a, only b, only c, both a and b,both a and c, both b and c, all of a, b, and c, or variations thereof.

Since the disclosure may have various modifications and severalembodiments, embodiments are shown in the drawings and will be describedin detail. The effects and features of the disclosure, and ways toachieve them will become apparent by referring to embodiments that willbe described later in detail with reference to the drawings. However,the disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments but may beembodied in various forms.

It will be understood that although the terms “first,” “second,” etc.,may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements shouldnot be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguishone element from another.

In the embodiments below, the singular forms include the plural formsunless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

In the present specification, it is to be understood that the terms suchas “including” or “having” are intended to indicate the existence of thefeatures or elements disclosed in the specification and are not intendedto preclude the possibility that one or more other features or elementsmay be added.

In the embodiments below, it will be understood when a portion such as alayer, an area, or an element is referred to as being “on” or “above”another portion, it can be directly on or above the other portion, orintervening portion may also be present.

Also, in the drawings, for convenience of description, sizes of elementsmay be exaggerated or contracted. For example, since sizes andthicknesses of elements in the drawings are arbitrarily illustrated forconvenience of explanation, the following embodiments are not limitedthereto.

In the present specification, “A and/or B” refers to A, B, or A and B.In addition, in the present specification, “at least one of A and B”refers to A, B, or A and B.

In the following embodiments, when X and Y are connected to each other,X and Y may be electrically connected to each other, X and Y may befunctionally connected to each other, or X and Y may be directlyconnected to each other. Here, X and Y may be target objects (e.g.,apparatuses, devices, circuits, lines, electrodes, terminals, conductivelayers, or layers). Thus, the disclosure is not limited to a certainconnection relationship, for example, a connection relationshipindicated in the drawings or the detailed description and may alsoinclude anything other than the connection relationship indicated in thedrawings or the detailed description.

For example, when X and Y are electrically connected to each other, oneor more devices (e.g., switches, transistors, capacitors, inductors,resistors, or diodes) enabling the electrical connection between X and Ymay be connected between X and Y.

In the following embodiments, “ON” used in connection with a devicestate may refer to an activated state of the device, and “OFF” may referto a deactivated state of the device. “ON” used in connection with asignal received by a device may refer to a signal activating the device,and “OFF” may refer to a signal deactivating the device. The device maybe activated by a high-level voltage or a low-level voltage. Forexample, a P-channel transistor may be activated by a low-level voltage,and an N-channel transistor may be activated by a high-level voltage.Thus, it should be understood that “ON” voltages for the P-channeltransistor and the N-channel transistor are opposite (low versus high)voltage levels.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a display device according to anembodiment.

A display device 10 according to embodiments may be implemented as anelectronic apparatus such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, a smartwatch, a navigation apparatus, a game machine, a television (TV), avehicle head unit, a notebook computer, a laptop computer, a tabletcomputer, and a personal media player (PMP), or a personal digitalassistant (PDA). Also, the electronic apparatus may be a flexibleapparatus.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the display device 10 may include a display panel110, a scan driver 120, a control line driver 130, a sensor 140, a datadriver 150, and a controller 160. In FIG. 1 , the display panel 110 isillustrated as being separate from driving circuits such as the scandriver 120. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example,at least one of the scan driver 120, the control line driver 130, thesensor 140, and the data driver 150 may be integrated on the displaypanel 110.

According to an embodiment, the display device 10 may be driven to havea sensing period in which the display device 10 is driven in a sensingmode and a driving period in which the display device 10 is driven in adisplay mode. The sensing period may be a period of extractingcharacteristic information of each of pixels P provided in the displaypanel 110. For example, at least one of the threshold voltage, mobility,and degradation information of a driving transistor and/or an organiclight-emitting diode included in each of the pixels P is sensed duringthe sensing period. The driving period may be a period of displaying acertain image in response to data signals.

The scan driver 120 may be connected to a plurality of scan lines GL andmay generate scan signals in response to a first control signal CON1from the controller 160 and sequentially supply the scan signals to thescan lines GL. The scan driver 120 may include a shift register. Forexample, the scan driver 120 may sequentially supply the scan signals tothe scan lines GL during the sensing period and the driving period. Thescan signals may include an activation voltage (turn-on voltage) of thetransistor included in the pixel P. The turn-on voltage may have ahigh-level or low-level voltage.

The control line driver 130 may be connected to a plurality of controllines CL and may supply control signals to the control lines CL duringthe sensing period in response to a second control signal CON2 from thecontroller 160. For example, the control line driver 130 maysequentially supply the control signals to the control lines CL duringthe sensing period. The control signal may include an activation voltage(turn-on voltage) of the transistor included in the pixel P. The turn-onvoltage may have a high-level or low-level voltage. The pixels Preceiving the control signals may be electrically connected to thesensing lines SL.

In FIG. 1 , the control line driver 130 is provided as a separatedriver; however, in other embodiments, the scan driver 120 may supplythe control signal to the control lines CL in place of the control linedriver 130. Alternatively, instead of forming a separate control lineCL, the scan line GL may be used to control the connection between thepixels P and the sensing lines SL during the sensing period.

The sensor 140 may be connected to a plurality of sensing lines SL andmay sense characteristic information from the pixels P through thesensing lines SL during the sensing period in response to a thirdcontrol signal CON3 from the controller 160. In an embodiment, thesensing line SL may be provided for each vertical line (column). Inother embodiments, a plurality of pixels P of a plurality of columns mayshare one sensing line SL as described below with reference to FIG. 17 .

The sensor 140 may convert the sensed characteristic information havinganalog form into sensing data having a digital format and output thesensing data having the digital format. For this purpose, the sensor 140may include at least one analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The sensingdata output from the sensor 140 may be stored in a memory (notillustrated) by the controller 160 or the like. The stored sensing datamay be used to convert first data DATA1 into second data DATA2 tocompensate for a characteristic deviation of the pixels P. For thispurpose, the sensing data corresponding to all the pixels P provided inthe display panel 110 may be stored in the memory during the sensingperiod. The sensor 140 may further perform IC calibration, defectfiltering, edge filtering, or the like for sensing data correction.

In an embodiment, the sensor 140 may generate sensing data by sensingcharacteristic information of all the pixels P. In other embodiments,the sensor 140 may not sense characteristic information of some pixelsP. In this case, characteristic information of a pixel P on whichcharacteristic information is not sensed by the sensor 140 may beestimated using characteristic information of adjacent pixels P. In anembodiment, a compensator 170 in the controller 160 may estimatecharacteristic information of a pixel P on which characteristicinformation is not sensed using characteristic information of adjacentpixels P. In this case, the compensator 170 may perform IC calibration,defect filtering, edge filtering, or the like for sensing datacorrection.

The data driver 150 may be connected to a plurality of data lines DL andmay supply data signals to the data lines DL during the driving periodin response to a fourth control signal CON4 from the controller 160. Thedata driver 150 may generate data signals during the driving period inresponse to the second data DATA2 supplied from the controller 160. Thesecond data DATA2 may be compensated data which are compensated usingthe first data DATA1 input from the outside and sensing data of all thepixels P to compensate for a characteristic deviation of the pixels P.The data signals in the form of a voltage or current generated by thedata driver 150 may be supplied to the data lines DL. The data signalssupplied to the data lines DL may be supplied to the pixels P selectedby the scan signals. The pixels P may emit light with a brightnesscorresponding to the data signals during the driving period, andaccordingly, an image may be displayed on the display panel 110.

According to an embodiment, the data driver 150 may supply a referencevoltage to the data lines DL during the sensing period in response tothe control of the controller 160. For example, the reference voltagemay be set to a predetermined voltage at which a current may flow in thedriving transistors provided in the pixels P. Moreover, in embodiments,the data driver 150 may not necessarily have to supply the referencevoltage to the pixels P during the sensing period. For example, when thepixels P are connected to other voltage sources and/or current sourcesduring the sensing period, the data driver 150 may drive the data linesDL only during the driving period.

The display panel 110 may include a plurality of scan lines GL, aplurality of data lines DL, a plurality of control lines CL, a pluralityof sensing lines SL, and a plurality of pixels P connected thereto. Theplurality of pixels P may be repeatedly arranged in a first direction (xdirection or row direction) and a second direction (y direction orcolumn direction). The plurality of scan lines GL may be spaced atcertain intervals and arranged in rows and may each transmit a scansignal. The plurality of control lines CL may be spaced at certainintervals and arranged in rows and may each transmit a control signal.The plurality of data lines DL may be spaced at certain intervals andarranged in columns and may each transmit a data signal. The pluralityof sensing lines SL may be spaced at certain intervals and arranged incolumns and may each sense characteristic information of the pixel P.According to embodiments, when the display panel 110 is a display panelof an organic electroluminescence (EL) display device, the pixels P ofthe display panel 110 may be driven by being supplied with a drivingvoltage ELVDD and a common voltage ELVSS.

The controller 160 may control the driving of the scan driver 120, thecontrol line driver 130, the sensor 140, and the data driver 150. Also,the controller 160 may store the sensing data from the sensor 140 in thememory and may generate the second data DATA2 by converting the firstdata DATA1 input from the outside by using the stored sensing data. Thegenerated second data DATA2 may be output to the data driver 150. In anembodiment, the first data DATA1, the second data DATA2, and the sensingdata may be digital signals. The compensator in the controller 160 maycompensate the first data DATA1 by using the sensing data stored in thememory and output compensated first data DATA1 as the second data DATA2.

The controller 160 may include the compensator 170. However, thedisclosure is not limited thereto. For example, in other embodiments, acompensator 170 may be a separate component and disposed outside thecontroller 160, and the compensator 170 may convert the first data DATA1to generate the second data DATA2.

The compensator 170 may receive the first data DATA1 from outside of thedisplay device, for example, from a graphic controller or an applicationprocessor, and the sensing data from the memory and generate the seconddata DATA2 using the first data DATA1 and the sensing data. Thecompensator 170 may convert the first data DATA1 into the second dataDATA2 by reflecting the sensing data. For example, the compensator 170may generate the second data DATA2 by compensating the first data DATA1input from the outside by using the sensing data. The second data DATA2generated by the compensator 170 may be output to the data driver 150,and the data driver 150 may generate a data signal corresponding to thesecond data DATA2 and output the generated data signal to the pixels Pthrough the data lines DL.

Hereinafter, an organic light emitting display device will be describedas an example of the display device according to an embodiment; however,the display device of the disclosure is not limited thereto. In otherembodiments, the display device of the disclosure may be a displaydevice such as an inorganic light-emitting display device (or inorganicEL display device) or a quantum dot light emitting display device.

FIG. 2 is an equivalent circuit diagram of a pixel according to anembodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a sensing period accordingto an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 2 , each of the pixels P may include a pixel circuitPC and an organic light-emitting diode OLED as a display elementconnected to the pixel circuit PC. The pixel circuit PC may include afirst transistor T1 (driving transistor), a second transistor T2(switching transistor), a third transistor T3 (sensing controltransistor), and a capacitor Cst.

The first transistor T1 may include a first electrode connected to adriving voltage line PL for supplying a driving voltage ELVDD and asecond electrode connected to a first electrode (pixel electrode) of theorganic light-emitting diode OLED. A gate electrode of the firsttransistor T1 may be connected to a node N. The first transistor T1 maycontrol a driving current flowing from the driving voltage line PLthrough the organic light-emitting diode OLED in response to a voltagestored in the capacitor Cst. The organic light-emitting diode OLED mayemit light with a certain brightness according to the driving current.

The second transistor T2 may include a gate electrode connected to ascan line GL, a first electrode connected to a data line DL, and asecond electrode connected to the node N. The second transistor T2 maybe turned on according to a scan signal input through the scan line GLto electrically connect the data line DL to the node N and transmit adata signal input through the data line DL to the node N.

The third transistor T3 may include a gate electrode connected to acontrol line CL, a first electrode connected to the second electrode ofthe first transistor T1, and the second electrode connected to a sensingline SL. The third transistor T3 may be turned on by a control signalsupplied through the control line CL during the sensing period toelectrically connect the sensing line SL to the second electrode of thefirst transistor T1.

The capacitor Cst may be connected between the node N and the secondelectrode of the first transistor T1. The capacitor Cst may store avoltage corresponding to the difference between the voltage receivedfrom the second transistor T2 and the potential of the second electrodeof the first transistor T1.

In FIG. 2 , N-type transistors are illustrated as the transistors of thepixel circuit; however, embodiments are not limited thereto. Forexample, according to various embodiments, the transistors of the pixelcircuit may be P-type transistors, or some may be P-type transistors andothers may be N-type transistors.

According to an embodiment, at least the first transistor T1 may be anoxide semiconductor thin-film transistor including an amorphous orcrystalline oxide semiconductor as an active layer. For example, thefirst to third transistors T1 to T3 may be oxide semiconductor thin-filmtransistors. The oxide semiconductor thin-film transistors haveexcellent off-current characteristics. Alternatively, according to anembodiment, at least one of the first to third transistors T1 to T3 maybe a low temperature poly-silicon (LTPS) thin-film transistor includingpolysilicon as an active layer. The LTPS thin-film transistor has highelectron mobility, and thus has fast driving characteristics.

The brightness of the pixel P may be mainly determined according to thedata signal. However, a characteristic of the first transistor T1 and/orthe organic light-emitting diode OLED may additionally affect thebrightness of the pixel P. Also, the characteristics of the firsttransistor T1 and/or the organic light-emitting diode OLED may varydepending on the time of use.

Thus, in embodiments, compensations of the first data DATA1 may beperformed to compensate the variations in characteristics of the pixelsP by using sensed characteristics of the pixels P during the sensingperiod by using the third transistor T3 and input data, that is, thefirst data DATA1, and supplying the compensated first data DATA1 (DATA2)to the data driver 150. Accordingly, an image of uniform quality may bedisplayed.

More particularly, the pixel P may output characteristic informationthrough the sensing line SL during a sensing period and emit lightduring a driving period in response to the data signal supplied from thedata line DL.

According to embodiments, an operation of sensing the characteristicinformation of the pixel P may be performed at least once beforeshipment of the display device. Accordingly, initial characteristicinformation of the pixel P may be prestored and the same may be used tocorrect the input data to compensate for a characteristic deviationbetween the pixels P provided in the display panel 110. Accordingly, thedisplay panel 110 may display an image of uniform quality.

Also, according to embodiments, an operation of sensing thecharacteristic information of the pixels P may be performed everysensing period during actual use of the display device. Accordingly,even when a characteristic deviation between the pixels P occursdepending on the time of use, the changed characteristic information ofthe pixels P may be updated in real time and reflected in generation ofdata signals. Thus, an image of uniform quality may be displayed on thedisplay panel 110. As shown in FIG. 3 , a sensing period ST may bedisposed after power is applied (power on), between driving periods DT,and before power is turned off (power off).

The sensing period ST may include a transition period TT and aneffective period ET. When the display device enters a sensing mode,input power (e.g., the driving voltage ELVDD, the common voltage ELVSS,or the reference voltage) applied to the display panel 110 may beunstable at the beginning of the sensing period ST, and thus, a noisemay be included in a sensing result. Hereinafter, a period from thestart of the sensing period ST (t1 in FIG. 8 ) to a time when the inputpower is stabilized (t2 in FIG. 8 ) is referred to as a transitionperiod TT, and a period from the time when the input power is stabilizedto a time when sensing is terminated is referred to an effective periodET. The length of the transition period TT may be preset as time for theinput power enough to be stabilized by a test.

The sensor 140 may obtain sensing data from a partial area of thedisplay panel 110 during the transition period TT. The sensing dataobtained by the sensor 140 (see FIG. 1 ) during the transition period TTmay not be used by the compensator 170. In an embodiment, the sensor 140may process the sensing data obtained during the transition period TT asdummy data and not provide the sensing data to the compensator 170. Inanother embodiment, the sensor 140 may provide the sensing data obtainedduring the transition period TT to the compensator 170, and thecompensator 170 may process the sensing data as dummy data and not usethe sensing data to generate the second data DATA2. By not usingcharacteristic information obtained during the transition period TT, theaccuracy of the sensing result may be improved.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a display device according to anembodiment, and in particular, a diagram illustrating an embodiment of asensor. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a channel provided in a sensoraccording to an embodiment. In FIG. 5 , only one sensing channel among aplurality of sensing channels shown in FIG. 4 is illustrated.

Referring to FIG. 4 , a sensor 140 according to an embodiment mayinclude first to j-th sensing integrated circuits (ICs) 1401 to 140 j(where j is a natural number of 2 or more). The first to j-th sensingICs 1401 to 140 j may be implemented as a readout IC that extractscharacteristic information of pixels. The sensor 140 may be enabledduring a sensing period and disabled during a driving period.

Each of the first to j-th sensing ICs 1401 to 140 j may include aplurality of analog front ends (AFEs) 142 respectively connected to aplurality of sensing lines SL, an ADC 146 connected to the outputterminals of the plurality of AFEs 142, and a switching portion 144including a plurality of switches 145 connected between the AFEs 142 andthe ADC 146. An AFE 142 and a switch 145 which are connected to each ofthe sensing lines SL may constitute one sensing channel S-CH. That is,each of the first to j-th sensing ICs 1401 to 140 j may include aplurality of sensing channels S-CH.

The AFE 142 may sample and hold characteristic information of a pixelwhich is input from the sensing line SL and temporarily store thesampled and held characteristic information. To this end, the AFE 142may include a capacitor connected to the sensing line SL.

The switching portion 144 may sequentially connect the plurality of AFEs142 to one ADC 146 and accordingly, it may be controlled such thatcharacteristic information stored in the AFEs 142 may be sequentiallysupplied to the ADC 146 and converted into sensing data.

The ADC 146 may convert analog characteristic information which issequentially provided from a plurality of AFEs 142 in sensing channelsS-CH allocated by the switching portion 144 into digital sensing data.

The sensor 140 may further include a memory 148 connected to the ADC146. The memory 148 may function as a buffer for temporarily storingdigital sensing data supplied from the ADC 146. Digital sensing datacorresponding to characteristic information of each pixel may be storedin the memory 148. The digital sensing data stored in the memory 148 maybe supplied to the compensator 170 of the controller 160.

The compensator 170 may convert first data DATA1 into second data DATA2so that characteristic deviation between pixels is compensated based onsensing data including characteristic information of each of the pixels.

Hereinafter, operations of the pixel and the sensor 140 which includethe sensing period and the driving period will be described in moredetail with reference to FIG. 5 .

According to an embodiment, during the sensing period, the sensor 140may extract characteristic information of pixels P through the sensinglines SL and convert the extracted characteristic information intosensing data. The compensator 170 may set a compensation value tocompensate for the characteristic deviation between the pixels P inresponse to the sensing data.

During the sensing period, the data driver 150 may supply a referencevoltage to a data line DL to an extent that current may flow through thepixels P. According to an embodiment, the data driver 150 may not supplythe reference voltage. In this case, the pixels P may be driven byelectrically connecting data lines DL to a certain current source and/orvoltage source during the sensing period.

Also, a scan signal and a control signal may be respectively supplied toa scan line GL and a control line CL during a predetermined period ofthe sensing period. According to an embodiment, the scan signal and thecontrol signal may be sequentially supplied for each horizontal line(row) of a display panel 110. A second transistor T2 and a thirdtransistor T3 in pixels P in a row which receives the scan signal andthe control signal may be turned on. When the third transistor T3 isturned on, a second electrode of a first transistor T1 may beelectrically connected to a sensing line SL. In addition, when thesecond transistor T2 is turned on, the reference voltage from the dataline DL may be transferred to a node N.

When the reference voltage is supplied to the node N, the firsttransistor T1 is turned on. Accordingly, a current corresponding to thereference voltage is generated in the pixels P, and the current may besupplied to the sensing line SL via the third transistor T3 of each ofthe pixels P.

The sensing line SL has a certain resistance value, and, accordingly, avoltage corresponding to a certain current flowing through acorresponding pixel P is applied to each of the sensing lines SL. Thevoltage applied to the sensing line SL may be stored in a line capacitorCLine parasitically formed in the sensing line SL, and may also bestored in the AFE 142 connected to the sensing line SL.

The voltage stored in the line capacitor CLine and the AFE 142 mayinclude characteristic information of the first transistor T1 includedin a pixel P of the currently sensed row. A current flowing through thefirst transistor T1 in response to the reference voltage may reflect athreshold voltage, mobility, and deterioration of the first transistorT1.

According to an embodiment, characteristic information of an organiclight-emitting diode OLED may be additionally extracted. For example, byconnecting the organic light-emitting diode OLED provided in the pixel Pof a row to be sensed to a certain current source, current may flowthrough the organic light-emitting diode OLED. Furthermore, byextracting a voltage applied to one electrode (e.g., a pixel electrode)of the organic light-emitting diode OLED, characteristic informationcorresponding to the threshold voltage and deterioration of the organiclight-emitting diode OLED may be additionally extracted.

A method of extracting characteristic information of the pixel P is notlimited to the above-described embodiment. For example, characteristicinformation of the pixel P may be extracted by various known methods.

When a voltage applied to the sensing lines SL is input to the sensor140 through the AFEs 142, the ADC 146 may convert an analog voltagestored in the AFEs 142 into sensing data having a digital format. Thesensing data output from the ADC 146 may be temporarily stored in thememory 148 in the sensing integrated circuit 140 l, . . . , 140 j andthen input to the compensator 170. The compensator 170 receiving sensingdata corresponding to each of the pixels P may set a compensation valuecorresponding to the sensing data for each pixel P.

The compensator 170 may convert the first data DATA1 into the seconddata DATA2 during the driving period by reflecting the compensationvalue set in the sensing period and output the second data DATA2 to thedata driver 150.

The second data DATA2 output from the compensator 170 during the drivingperiod may be input to the data driver 150, and the data driver 150 maygenerate a data signal corresponding to the second data DATA2 and outputthe generated data signal to the data lines DL.

During the driving period, a scan signal may be supplied to the scanlines GL.

According to an embodiment, the scan signal may be sequentially suppliedthe scan lines in the display panel 110 one row at a time. The secondtransistor T2 may be turned on in each of the pixels P receiving thescan signal. Accordingly, a data signal applied to the data line DL maybe transmitted to the node N of the pixel P, and a voltage correspondingto the data signal may be charged in the capacitor Cst.

When the data signal is supplied to the node N, the first transistor T1is turned on, and the turned-on first transistor T1 may supply a drivingcurrent corresponding to the data signal to the organic light-emittingdiode OLED. Accordingly, the driving current flows from the drivingvoltage line PL (see FIG. 2 ) along a current path through the firsttransistor T1 and the organic light-emitting diode OLED. Then, theorganic light-emitting diode OLED may emit light with a brightnesscorresponding to the driving current. Because the data signal isgenerated in response to the second data DATA2, a characteristicdeviation between the pixels P may be compensated for and thus an imageof uniform quality may be displayed on the display panel.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display device according to anembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6 , a display device 10 may include a display panel110 and a plurality of driving circuits 30. The plurality of drivingcircuits 30 may correspond to certain areas of the display panel 110,and each driving circuit 30 may be connected to a plurality of datalines and a plurality of sensing lines arranged in the correspondingarea.

The display panel 110 may include a display area DA in which a pluralityof pixels P are arranged and a peripheral area NDA outside the displayarea DA. The peripheral area NDA may be a non-display area in whichpixels P are not arranged. The display area DA may be entirelysurrounded by the peripheral area NDA. In an embodiment, dummy pixelsmay be arranged in the peripheral area NDA. Each of the dummy pixels maybe a pixel that is not involved in the display of an image. Each of thedummy pixels may not have a display element.

Each of the plurality of driving circuits 30 may be mounted on aconnection circuit board 40 of a film type, and the driving circuits 30may be connected to each other by a circuit board 50. Each of connectioncircuit boards 40 may be connected to pads provided in the peripheralarea NDA of the display panel 110. Each of the driving circuits 30 maybe an integrated circuit (IC), and may include a data driver (e.g., thedata driver 150 in FIG. 1 ) connected to a plurality of data linesarranged in a corresponding area of the display panel 110, and a sensor(e.g., the sensor 140 in FIG. 1 ) connected to a plurality of sensinglines. A scan driver (e.g., the scan driver 120 in FIG. 1 ) connected toa plurality of scan lines may be provided directly in the peripheralarea NDA of the display panel 110.

Each of the pixels P may be a pixel emitting light of a certain color.The pixels P may include a first pixel emitting a first color of light,a second pixel emitting a second color of light, and a third pixelemitting a third color of light. For example, the first pixel may be ared pixel emitting red light, the second pixel may be a green pixelemitting green light, and the third pixel may be a blue pixel emittingblue light. Each of the first to third pixels may include a displayelement. The display element may be connected to a pixel circuit. Thedisplay element may include an organic light-emitting diode or a quantumdot organic light-emitting diode.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a portion A of the displaydevice of FIG. 6 , according to an embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagramillustrating signals applied during a sensing period in the displaydevice of FIG. 7 .

Referring to FIG. 7 , the display panel 110 of FIG. 6 may include adisplay area DA and a peripheral area NDA, and a dummy area DM may beincluded in the peripheral area NDA.

A plurality of pixels P may be provided in a plurality of rows R1 to Rnand a plurality of columns C1 to Ck of the display area DA. Each of thepixels P may be connected to a corresponding one of a plurality of scanlines GL1 to GLn and a corresponding one of a plurality of data linesDL1 to DLk. Furthermore, each of the pixels P may be connected to acorresponding one of a plurality of control lines CL1 to CLn and acorresponding one of a plurality of sensing lines SL1 to SLk. The scanlines GL1 to GLn and the control lines CL1 to CLn may extend in a firstdirection D1, and the data lines DL1 to DLk and the sensing lines SL1 toSLk may extend in a second direction D2.

The dummy area DM may be disposed, for example, at an upper end of afirst row R1 to which a first scan signal of the display area DA isapplied. The dummy area DM may include at least two dummy rows DR1 toDRm in which a plurality of dummy pixels DP are provided. Each of thedummy pixels DP may be connected to a corresponding one of a pluralityof dummy scan lines DGL1 to DGLm and a corresponding one of theplurality of data lines DL1 to DLk. Also, each of the dummy pixels DPmay be connected to a corresponding one of a plurality of dummy controllines DCL1 to DCLm and a corresponding one of the plurality of sensinglines SL1 to SLk. The dummy scan lines DGL1 to DGLm and the dummycontrol lines DCL1 to DCLm may extend in the first direction D1. Thenumber of dummy rows may be determined according to the length of atransition period TT (see FIG. 8 ). For example, when the length of thetransition period TT is set to j times the scanning time of the scansignal, the number of dummy rows in the dummy area DM may be j (j<m).

One end of each of the sensing lines SL1 to SLk may be connected to acorresponding AFE 142 of the sensor 140. As switches SW1 to SWk aresequentially turned on, an ADC 146 may sequentially receivecharacteristic information having analog form from sensing channelsS-CH1 to S-CHk and may convert the characteristic information havinganalog form into sensing data having a digital format and store theconverted sensing data in a memory 148.

Referring to FIG. 8 , a scan signal may be sequentially applied to thedummy scan lines DGL1 to DGLm and the scan lines GL1 to GLn, and areference voltage may be applied to the data lines DL1 to DLk and thusmay be applied to the dummy pixels DP and the pixels P. Furthermore, acontrol signal may be sequentially applied to the dummy control linesDCL1 to DCLm and the control lines CL1 to CLn. The control signal mayoverlap the scan signal.

The sensor 140 may process sensing data obtained by sensing the dummyarea DM as dummy data and not transmit the sensing data processed asdummy data to the compensator 170. However, the sensor 140 may transmitsensing data obtained by sensing the display area DA to the compensator170. A period for sensing the dummy area DM may correspond to thetransition period TT and a period for sensing the display area DA maycorrespond to an effective period ET (see FIG. 8 ). For example, while ascan signal from the scan driver 120 and a control signal from thecontrol line driver 130 are sequentially applied to the dummy rows DR1to DRm of the dummy area DM, that is, during the transition period TT,the sensor 140 may sequentially sense the dummy pixels DP arranged inthe dummy area DM through the sensing lines SL1 to SLk one row at atime. While a scan signal from the scan driver 120 and a control signalfrom the control line driver 130 are sequentially applied to the rows R1to Rn of the display area DA, that is, during the effective period ET,the sensor 140 may sequentially sense the pixels P arranged in thedisplay area DA through the sensing lines SL1 to SLk one row at a time.

For example, when a control signal is applied to the dummy control lineDCL1 of the first dummy row DR1, dummy pixels DP provided in the firstdummy row DR1 may be connected to the sensing lines SL1 to SLk.Furthermore, characteristic information of the dummy pixels DP appliedfrom the sensing lines SL1 to SLk to AFEs AFE1 to AFEk may be output tothe ADC 146 by the switch 145, and the ADC 146 may generate dummy dataDD1. In addition, when sensing is performed up to the m-th dummy rowDRm, and then a control signal is applied to the control line CL1 of thefirst row R1, pixels DP provided in the first row R1 may be connected tothe sensing lines SL1 to SLk. Furthermore, characteristic information ofthe pixels P applied from the sensing lines SL1 to SLk to the AFEs AFE1to AFEk may be output to the ADC 146 by the switch 145, and the ADC 146may generate sensing data SD1 of the first row R1. The sensing data SD1may include sensing data AD1 to ADk sequentially generated by the ADC146 for each of pixels P connected to first to k-th sensing lines SL1 toSLk of the first row R1. Sensing may be performed up to an n-th row.

The sensor 140 may not output dummy data DD1 to DDm generated bysequentially sensing dummy pixels DP of first to m-th dummy rows DR1 toDRm to the compensator 170. The sensor 140 may store sensing data SD1 toSDn generated by sensing pixels P of first to n-th rows R1 to Rn in thememory 148 and then output the sensing data SD1 to SDn to thecompensator 170.

In another embodiment, the dummy data DD1 to DDm may be output to thecompensator 170 but may not be used by the compensator 170.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a portion A of the displaydevice of FIG. 6 , according to an embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagramillustrating signals applied during a sensing period in the displaydevice of FIG. 9 .

The embodiment shown in FIG. 9 is different from the embodiment shown inFIG. 7 in that only one dummy row DR1 is included in the dummy area DM.Hereinafter, detailed descriptions of configurations that are the sameas those of FIG. 7 will be omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10 , a scan signal may be repeatedly applied acertain number of times to a dummy scan line DGL1 of a dummy row DR1 ofa dummy area DM during a transition period TT and then sequentiallyapplied to scan lines GL1 to GLn of a display area DA during aneffective period ET.

When the dummy row DR1 is selected by the scan signal, a referencevoltage may be applied to data lines DL1 to DLk, and thus, the referencevoltage may be applied to dummy pixels DP. In addition, a control signalmay be repeatedly applied a certain number of times to a dummy controlline DCL1. The control signal may overlap with the scan signal. In anembodiment, the scan signal and the control signal may be repeatedlyapplied a certain number of times to the dummy row DR1 during thetransition period TT. The number of times the scan signal is applied tothe dummy scan line DGL1 and the number of times the control signal isapplied to the dummy control line DCL1 may be determined according tothe length of the transition period TT. For example, when the length ofthe transition period TT is set to j times the scanning time of the scansignal, the scan signal and the control signal may be repeatedly appliedj times to the dummy row DR1 of the dummy area DM.

In another embodiment, the control signal may be repeatedly applied acertain number of times to the dummy row DR1 while the scan signal isapplied once to the dummy row DR1 during the transition period TT. Inthis case, the length of the scan signal applied to the dummy row DR1may correspond to the length of the transition period TT and may begreater than the length of the scan signal applied to the display areaDA.

When first to n-th rows R1 to Rn of the display area DA are sequentiallyselected by the scan signal during the effective period ET, a referencevoltage may be applied to the data lines DL1 to DLk, and thus, thereference voltage may be applied to pixels P. Furthermore, a controlsignal may be sequentially applied to control lines CL1 to CLn. Thecontrol signal may overlap with the scan signal.

A sensor 140 may not output, to the compensator 170, dummy data DDgenerated by sensing the dummy pixels DP of the dummy row DR1 of thedummy area DM multiple times. The sensor 140 may store, in a memory 148,sensing data SD1 to SDn generated by sensing pixels P in first to n-throws R1 to Rn of the display area DA and then output the sensing dataSD1 to SDn to the compensator 170.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a portion A of the displaydevice of FIG. 6 , according to an embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagramillustrating signals applied during a sensing period in the displaydevice of FIG. 11 .

The embodiment shown in FIG. 11 is different from the embodiment shownin FIG. 7 in that there is no dummy area DM in the display panel 110(see FIG. 6 ).

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12 , a scan signal may be repeatedly applied acertain number of times to a scan line in a row of a display area DAduring a transition period TT and then sequentially applied to scanlines GL1 to GLn of all rows of the display area DA during an effectiveperiod ET. When a row is selected by the scan signal during thetransition period TT, a reference voltage may be applied to data linesDL1 to DLk, and thus, the reference voltage may be applied to pixels Pof the selected row. In addition, a control signal may be repeatedlyapplied a certain number of times to a control line of the selected rowduring the transition period TT. The control signal may overlap with thescan signal. FIG. 12 shows an example in which a third row is selectedduring the transition period TT and the control signal is repeatedlyapplied a certain number of times to a control line CL3 of the thirdrow.

The number of times the scan signal is applied and the number of timesthe control signal is applied to the selected row during the transitionperiod TT may be determined according to the length of the transitionperiod TT. For example, when the length of the transition period TT isset to j times the scanning time of the scan signal, the scan signal andthe control signal may be repeatedly applied j times to a scan line anda control line of the selected row.

Subsequently, when first to n-th rows R1 to Rn of the display area DAare sequentially selected by the scan signal during the effective periodET, a reference voltage may be applied to the data lines DL1 to DLk, andthus, the reference voltage may be applied to pixels P. Furthermore, acontrol signal may be sequentially applied to control lines CL1 to CLn.The control signal may overlap with the scan signal.

A sensor 140 may process sensing data generated by sensing multipletimes pixels P of a row selected in the display area DA during thetransition period TT as dummy data DD and not output the sensing data tothe compensator 170. The sensor 140 may store sensing data SD1 to SDngenerated by sensing pixels P of the first to n-th rows R1 to Rnsequentially selected in the display area DA during the effective periodET in a memory 148 and then output the sensing data SD1 to SDn to thecompensator 170.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating a portion A of the displaydevice of FIG. 6 according to an embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagramillustrating signals applied during a sensing period in the displaydevice of FIG. 13 .

The embodiment shown in FIG. 13 is different from the embodiment shownin FIG. 11 in that a dummy sensing channel DS-CH is added to the sensor140.

Referring to FIG. 13 , the sensor 140 may include a plurality of sensingchannels S-CH1 to S-CHk. The sensor 140 may further include a dummysensing channel DS-CH including a dummy AFE 142′ and a dummy switch DSWbetween the dummy AFE 142′ and an ADC 146. The dummy sensing channelDS-CH may not be connected to a sensing line SL of the display panel110.

Referring to FIG. 14 , the dummy switch DSW of the dummy sensing channelDS-CH may be repeatedly turned on a certain number of times during atransition period TT, and the ADC 146 may repeatedly generate dataoutput from the dummy sensing channel DS-CH as dummy data ADD. In anembodiment, a certain signal may be applied to the dummy AFE 142′ of thedummy sensing channel DS-CH. For example, a certain voltage or currentcorresponding to a reference voltage may be applied to the dummy AFE142′ of the dummy sensing channel DS-CH. The number of times the dummysensing channel DS-CH is connected to the ADC 146 may be determinedaccording to the length of the transition period TT.

Subsequently, when first to n-th rows R1 to Rn of the display area DAare sequentially selected by a scan signal during an effective periodET, a reference voltage may be applied to data lines DL1 to DLk, andthus, the reference voltage may be applied to pixels P. Furthermore, acontrol signal may be sequentially applied to control lines CL1 to CLn.The control signal may overlap with the scan signal.

The sensor 140 may not output the dummy data ADD generated by drivingthe dummy sensing channel DS-CH multiple times during the transitionperiod TT to the compensator 170. The sensor 140 may store sensing dataSD1 to SDn generated by sensing pixels P of the first to n-th rows R1 toRn of the display area DA during the effective period ET in a memory 148and then output the sensing data SD1 to SDn to the compensator 170.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating a portion A of the displaydevice of FIG. 6 , according to an embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagramillustrating signals applied during a sensing period in the displaydevice of FIG. 15 .

The embodiment shown in FIG. 15 is different from the embodiment shownin FIG. 11 in that the sensor 140 further includes a current source IREFfor IC calibration and current switches SI1 to SIk provided between thecurrent source IREF and a plurality of AFEs AFE1 to AFEk.

In an embodiment, the sensor 140 may perform IC calibration during asensing period. Similar to a transition period when the display panel110 of FIG. 6 enters a sensing mode, there may be a transition period atthe beginning of the IC calibration. The sensor 140 may repeatedlyconnect a sensing channel to an ADC 146 a certain number of times duringa transition period of the sensing period in which IC calibration isperformed and may process sensing data generated during the transitionperiod as dummy data. FIG. 16 shows an example in which a first sensingchannel S-CH1 is repeatedly connected to the ADC 146 a certain number oftimes during the transition period.

Referring to FIG. 16 , when the display device performs IC calibrationthe sensor 140 may repeatedly turn on the current switch SI1 which isconnected to the first sensing channel S-CH1 a certain number of timesto supply current from the current source IREF to the AFE AFE1 of thefirst sensing channel S-CH1 during a transition period TT. The sensor140 may repeatedly connect the AFE AFE1 of the first sensing channelS-CH1 to the ADC 146 a certain number of times by repeatedly turning ona switch SW1 of the first sensing channel S-CH1 a certain number oftimes in response to the turn-on of the current switch SI1.

Subsequently, the current switches SI1 to SIk may be sequentially turnedon during an effective period ET and current from the current sourceIREF may be provided to each of the AFEs AFE1 to AFEk.

The sensor 140 may convert analog data which is output from the firstsensing channel S-CH1 multiple times during the transition period TTinto sensing data having a digital format and may process the sensingdata as dummy data ADD and not output the dummy data ADD to thecompensator 170. The sensor 140 may convert analog data output fromfirst to k-th sensing channels S-CH1 to S-CHk into sensing data AD1 toADk having a digital format, store the sensing data AD1 to ADk in amemory 148 and then output the sensing data AD1 to ADk to thecompensator 170.

In the above-described embodiments, sensing lines are provided for eachcolumn, but in other embodiments, a plurality of columns may share onesensing line.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of a display panel according to anembodiment.

In the present embodiment, a set of a first pixel P1, a second pixel P2,and a third pixel P3 will be referred to as a unit pixel UP. Each of thefirst to third pixels P1, P2, and P3 may include a display element. Thedisplay element may be connected to a pixel circuit. The display elementmay include an organic light-emitting diode or a quantum dot organiclight-emitting diode.

Referring to FIG. 17 , unit pixels UP may be arranged in a firstdirection D1 and a second direction D2 in the display panel to form amatrix configuration. That is, the first pixel P1, the second pixel P2,and the third pixel P3 may be arranged in the first direction. Forexample, the first pixels P1 may be arranged in a first sub column SC1,the second pixels P2 may be arranged in a second sub column SC2 adjacentto the first sub column SC1, and the third pixels SP3 may be arranged ina third sub column SC3 adjacent to the second sub column SC2. The firstto third sub columns SC1, SC2, and SC3 will be referred to as onecolumn.

Each of the first to third pixels P1, P2, and P3 may be connected to acorresponding scan line among a plurality of scan lines GL and acorresponding data line among a plurality of data lines DL. For example,the first pixel P1 may be connected to a data line DL arranged in thefirst sub column SC1, the second pixel P2 may be connected to a dataline DL arranged in the second sub column SC2, and the third pixel P3may be connected to a data line DL arranged in the third sub column SC3.

Also, each of the first to third pixels P1, P2, and P3 may be connectedto a corresponding control line among a plurality of control lines CLand a corresponding sensing line among a plurality of sensing lines SL.One control line CL may be provided in each row, and the first to thirdpixels P1, P2 and P3 in the same row constituting the unit pixel UP mayshare one control line CL. The first to third pixels P1, P2, and P3 thatare adjacent in the first direction and constitute the unit pixel UP ineach pixel column may share one sensing line SL.

For example, in the sensing period of the first pixel P1, when a scansignal and a control signal are respectively applied to the scan line GLand the control line CL of the k-th row, the second transistor T2 andthe third transistor T3 of each of the first to third pixels P1, P2, andP3 of the k-th row may be turned on to charge the capacitor Cst. In thiscase, a reference voltage may be supplied through the data line DL ofthe first pixel P1, which is to be sensed, to turn on the firsttransistor T1 of the first pixel P1, and a voltage (e.g., 0 V) may beapplied to the data lines DL of the second pixel P2 and the third pixelP3 to turn off the first transistors T1 of the second pixel P2 and thethird pixel P3. Accordingly, one of the first to third pixels P1, P2,and P3 may be selectively connected to the sensing line SL.

According to a display device and its driving method according toembodiments of the disclosure, a partial area (e.g., a dummy area orsome rows in a display area) of a display panel may be automaticallysensed once or multiple times during a transition period and sensingdata obtained by sensing the partial area may be processed as dummydata, and a compensation value may be generated as a result ofsequentially sensing the entire display panel one row at a time duringan effective period in which input power is stabilized, and thus, moreaccurate sensing data may be secured.

According to a display device and its driving method according toembodiments of the disclosure, a characteristic deviation between pixelsmay be effectively compensated for, and thus, an image having a uniformimage quality may be displayed.

It should be understood that embodiments described herein should beconsidered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes oflimitation. Descriptions of features or aspects within each embodimentshould typically be considered as available for other similar featuresor aspects in other embodiments. While one or more embodiments have beendescribed with reference to the figures, it will be understood by thoseof ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and detailsmay be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope asdefined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display device that is driven to have a drivingperiod and a sensing period including a transition period and aneffective period following the transition period, the display devicecomprising: a display panel including a plurality of sensing lines and aplurality of pixels each connected to a corresponding sensing line amongthe plurality of sensing lines; a sensor that senses characteristicinformation of the plurality of pixels through the plurality of sensinglines during the effective period and converts the characteristicinformation sensed during the effective period into sensing data havinga digital format; and a compensator that converts first data receivedfrom outside of the display device into second data based on the sensingdata, wherein the sensor senses characteristic information of pixelsarranged in a partial area of the display panel during the transitionperiod and the compensator does not use the characteristic informationsensed during the transition period to generate the second data.
 2. Thedisplay device of claim 1, wherein the display panel includes a displayarea and a non-display area around the display area, the non-displayarea including a dummy area, and wherein the sensor sensescharacteristic information of dummy pixels arranged in the dummy areaduring the transition period and the compensator does not use thecharacteristic information of the dummy pixels sensed during thetransition period to generate the second data.
 3. The display device ofclaim 2, wherein the dummy area includes a plurality of dummy rows, andwherein the sensor sequentially senses dummy pixels arranged in theplurality of dummy rows one row at a time during the transition period.4. The display device of claim 2, wherein the dummy area includes onedummy row, and wherein the sensor senses dummy pixels arranged in thedummy row multiple times during the transition period.
 5. The displaydevice of claim 2, wherein the dummy area is adjacent to a first row ofthe display area.
 6. The display device of claim 1, wherein the sensordoes not output the sensed characteristic information of pixels arrangedin a partial area of the display panel during the transition period tothe compensator.
 7. The display device of claim 2, wherein the sensorsequentially selects pixels arranged in the display area one row at atime during the effective period to sense characteristic information ofthe selected pixels.
 8. The display device of claim 1, wherein thesensor senses characteristic information of pixels arranged in a row ina display area of the display panel multiple times during the transitionperiod and the compensator does not use the characteristic informationsensed during the transition period of the pixels to generate the seconddata.
 9. The display device of claim 8, wherein the sensor sequentiallyselects pixels arranged in the display area one row at a time during theeffective period to sense characteristic information of the selectedpixels.
 10. The display device of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes:a plurality of analog front ends (AFEs) respectively connected to theplurality of sensing lines and holding characteristic information ofpixels in a pixel row; and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) that issequentially connected to the plurality of AFEs to convert thecharacteristic information of the pixels in the pixel row into digitalsensing data.
 11. The display device of claim 10, further comprising: aplurality of switches provided between each of the plurality of AFEs andthe ADC.
 12. The display device of claim 1, further comprising: a scandriver that applies a scan signal to the plurality of pixels; and a datadriver that applies a reference voltage to the plurality of pixelsduring the sensing period and applies data signals to the plurality ofpixels during the driving period.
 13. A display device that is driven tohave a driving period and a sensing period including a transition periodand an effective period following the transition period, the displaydevice comprising: a display panel including a plurality of sensinglines and a plurality of pixels each connected to a correspondingsensing line among the plurality of sensing lines; a sensor that sensescharacteristic information of the plurality of pixels through theplurality of sensing lines and converts the characteristic informationinto sensing data having a digital format; and a compensator thatconverts first data received from an outside of the display device intosecond data based on the sensing data, wherein the sensor includes: aplurality of analog front ends (AFEs) respectively connected to theplurality of sensing lines and holding characteristic information ofpixels in a pixel row; an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) that issequentially connected to the plurality of AFEs to convert thecharacteristic information of the pixels in the pixel row into digitalsensing data; and a dummy analog front end (DAFE) which is not connectedto any of the plurality of sensing lines, and wherein the sensorconnects the DAFE to the ADC multiple times during the transitionperiod.
 14. The display device of claim 13, further comprising: aplurality of switches provided between each of the plurality of AFEs andthe ADC; and a dummy switch provided between the DAFE and the ADC.
 15. Adriving method of a display device that is driven to have a drivingperiod and a sensing period including a transition period and aneffective period following the transition period, the driving methodcomprising: sensing characteristic information of a plurality of pixelseach connected to a corresponding sensing line among a plurality ofsensing lines during the effective period and converting thecharacteristic information sensed during the effective period intosensing data having a digital format; sensing characteristic informationof pixels arranged in a partial area of the display panel during thetransition period and processing the characteristic information sensedduring the transition period as dummy data; and converting first datareceived from an outside of the display device into second data based onthe sensing data, wherein the dummy data are not used to convert thefirst data received from the outside of the display device into thesecond data.
 16. The driving method of claim 15, wherein the displaypanel includes a display area and a non-display area around the displayarea, the non-display area including a dummy area, and wherein theprocessing of the characteristic information into the dummy dataincludes sensing characteristic information of dummy pixels arranged inthe dummy area during the transition period and processing thecharacteristic information of the dummy pixels sensed during thetransition period as dummy data.
 17. The driving method of claim 16,wherein the dummy area includes a plurality of dummy rows, and whereinthe processing of the characteristic information into the dummy dataincludes sequentially sensing dummy pixels arranged in the plurality ofdummy rows one row at a time during the transition period and processingthe characteristic information of the dummy pixels sensed during thetransition period as dummy data.
 18. The driving method of claim 16,wherein the dummy area includes one dummy row, and wherein theprocessing of the characteristic information into the dummy dataincludes sensing dummy pixels arranged in the dummy row multiple timesduring the transition period and processing the characteristicinformation of the dummy pixels sensed during the transition period asdummy data.
 19. The driving method of claim 16, wherein the dummy areais adjacent to a first row of the display area.
 20. The driving methodof claim 15, wherein the processing of the characteristic informationinto the dummy data includes sensing characteristic information ofpixels arranged in a row in a display area of the display panel multipletimes during the transition period and processing the characteristicinformation of the pixels sensed during the transition period as dummydata.